Esports are competitive video games tournaments with high monetary rewards that attract professional players and aspiring participants seeking to improve their gaming skills.
Most of the esports viewers are online gaming enthusiasts; hence, they watch the competitions to learn expert maneuvering tricks from professional players. The hefty cash rewards attract avid gamers aspiring to compete at the professional level.
1. Why Is Esports So Popular?
If you are wondering why esports is so popular, I also asked myself the same question before discovering I could generate extra income by doing what I love.
Well, esports is famous because:
- It is as entertaining as any other conventional sport
- The games are easily accessible since one can play them online without geographical limitation
- The sport is all-inclusive since the audience participates in the games
- The sport offers a legitimate career opportunity
- It allows gamers to participate in an exciting social activity
- Videogaming is addictive; esports’ popularity grows as more people become hooked to virtual gaming
- Availability of a variety of games with unique playing experiences
- Advanced technology has facilitated the creation of high-quality video games
- The sport trains individuals to focus on goals and remain objective
- Esports equip players with valuable lessons
Conventional sports, such as football, allow players to meet and socialize with strangers. You will enjoy playing with people you do not know.
What is more, players can also bet in esports. The thrill of generating an income from the games, whether through betting or prize winnings, is an irresistible thrill many individuals cannot resist.
2. Why Do People Watch Esports?
Everyone wants something entertaining to break the boredom, especially if it has the potential to generate a lucrative income. Here are some of the reasons people watch esports:
a). High Income
Various entrepreneurs have invested millions of dollars in esports. Some fund the prize pools while others finance game development. You learn unique experiences in the competitions, which are unavailable elsewhere.
b). Experience Development
When you desire to excel in a given field, the next step is to practice until you become perfect. The experience grows further if you have a mentor. Esports enthusiasts’ best mentors are professional gamers.
c). Hype Broadcasting
Casting esports is difficult since the action takes place fast. The sports hire excellent casting teams that steer viewers’ emotions as per the action-taking place in the games.
In some instances, they instill fear, bravery, suspense, or other emotions that allow players to identify with the characters in the game.
d). Team Players
How does it feel to meet new people every day?
Esports allows players to build a network of friends worldwide. The top gamers come from different parts of the world; thus, enable you to learn how to associate and make new friends while pursuing a hobby.
e). Big Stories
Esports have entertaining storylines that inspire players. For instance, the main character has a mission to complete. It is up to the player to engage in critical reasoning to solve the challenges game developers have put in place.
3. How Many People Watch Esports?
The first-ever esports was held in 1980, and the competition featured 10, 000 participants. The Donkey Kong tournament followed in 1981.
In the 1990s, other popular games such as Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, Halo, Overwatch, Call of Duty, Warcraft, and Starcraft increased the popularity of the sport.
In 2018, esports recorded a global audience of 380.2 million people. Esports statistics indicate that the sport will likely exceed 557 million participants by 2021.
The number of sole players and teams participating in esports has also grown significantly over the years. For instance, at least 27 million gamers play the League of Legends daily.
Major Participants
The main esports players are male youths aged between 18 and 25 years old. Many players ranking in the professional category dedicate at least 8 hours to perfecting their virtual gaming skills daily. Further, many expert gamers have experience of more than seven years.
Televised Esports
The USA Network televised the first esport in 2006, Halo 2. However, the test event was unsuccessful. In 2011, Twitch broadcast was successful since the players and audience could actively engage each other.
Amazon purchased Twitch and steered the League of Legends to become the most famous esport to date.
4. Where Is the Esports Industry Headed?
The esports industry is headed to a brighter future. The popularity of electronic sports is spreading fast. More sponsors are coming forward to take advantage of the novel branding opportunities and experience the engaging content that thrills millions of people across the globe.
Esports Statistics
- Global revenue in 2020 – $1.6 billion
- China was the largest esports market in terms of income in 2019
- Media rights have grossed $176.2 million in 2020
- Esports has a global audience of 485 million people in 2020, and market projections show that the audience may surpass 500 million viewers by 2021
- Europe has a 16% esports audience, the second-largest market worldwide
Popular Esports to Lookout For
- Fortnite – Had the largest prize pool in 2019
- CS: GO – The game attracted the largest bets in 2016
- N0tail – Produced the highest-paid professional players in 2020
Do eSports Players Earn Big Money?
Esports players have various opportunities for earning attractive incomes. The main sources of revenue include:
- Endorsement of brands
- Winnings in high tier competitions
- Broadcast deals offered by organizations such as The CW, ESPN, and TBS
- Advertising
Some of the famous esports contestants pocket millions of dollars annually. Market projections indicate that the income from esports will exceed $2 billion by 2021.
Highest Paid Pro Gamers in 2019
Denmark’s Johan Sundstein is the highest-paid professional gamer with prize winnings exceeding $6.9 billion. Finland’s Jesse Valnikka is the second-highest-paid online player with prize winnings averaging about $6.4 million.The estimated earnings does not include the players’ income from other sources such as endorsements, tutorial sales, and sponsorships.
The Bottom Line
The esports industry has a bright future. Technology improvement promises better gaming experience in the future. The audience has also been growing steadily since the introduction of team e-games that players and audiences can interact with.
The variety of income streams also promises constant growth of electronics sports.
